ABERDEEN’S revival against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Wednesday night might offer something to suggest that reports of their demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Defender Andrew Considine acknowledged that the Pittodrie side’s dramatic Scottish Cup win felt like a defining moment of the season but despite the nature of recent criticism, it would be difficult to take a step back and view their current status as anything other than on course.
Third in the table and with a quarter-final Scottish Cup tie against St Mirren waiting next weekend it is entirely where Derek McInnes’ side should be.
Still, given the pulsating nature of a game that produced six goals in the last 33 minutes – five in extra-time – and three goals in the final three minutes that created a different outcome of the tie every time the ball hit the back of the net, it was a fairly unorthodox way to progress.
The bottom line, however, was that progression has eased the pressure on the club.
“This was almost a season definer for us,” said Considine whose run set up the winning goal as the game was set to head into a penalty shoot-out. “We also showed a real never say die attitude which is what Aberdeen is all about.
“It was huge. Coming off at half-time we could hear the boos so we knew something had to change. We have done it the hard way but I would like to think we have put a smile back on the smiles of our support. There were a lot of them who turned out for us on Wednesday night and that doesn’t go unnoticed, far from it.
“I feel if we had played the way we are now earlier we would have been out of sight of Motherwell [in the league]. We have made it hard for ourselves over the last couple of months. But we are sort of in the driving seat at the minute but if we can continue this form and ruthlessness in front of goal we will finish behind Rangers and Celtic but can hopefully have a good run in the Cup as well.”
McInnes’ was fulsome in his praise of Considine after the game and spoke of his wish that the 32-year-old could be rewarded with silverware this season.
“I hope so because opportunities are running out,” said Considine. “Football can change so you just never know how many opportunities you will get. I turn 33 next month. If we were to get to a final this year and potentially life the cup it would be fantastic. It’s a dream as a player to lift the cup. That’s why you play football. Fingers crossed this could be the year.”
In terms of the here and now, however Considine appreciated how important the win was in terms of alleviating the pressure on McInnes.
“I think for everyone involved it was massive,” he said. “We have all been under a lot of scrutiny recently. I know the manager is going to take the brunt of that.
“But the manager before the Hamailton game we all sat down for lunch and he had a real go at us.We knew we hadn’t’ been playing well enough and something had to change. I felt that conversation has changed things for him and all of us.
“The manager has been absolutely brilliant since he came in. He has lifted this club back to where it should be. Reaching finals and Europe every year.
“He works tirelessly behind the scenes him and his staff. The least we can do is go and perform and get us back to Hampden.
“I’m sure it’s lifted a little bit of angst off his shoulders. It has for everyone.”
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